Ezekiel Kimosop

What does it mean that Jesus shows or manifests Himself to those that love Him? 

This statement was made by Jesus in response to a question by Philip who had asked Jesus to show them the way to the Father. 

Philip may have imagined that knowing God was a matter of a formula or physical description or direction and that settles it. 

We need to appreciate that the disciples had limited revelation and knowledge of Christ at this stage. They simply had no capacity to comprehend the depth of the spiritual truths that Jesus was trying to get across to them. 

Only after Calvary, and specifically after Pentecost, did their spiritual eyes open wide enough to comprehend things in the Spirit. 

This is the reason Jesus told them that if you have seen the Son then you have seen the Father. 

Jesus implied that He was the complete representation of the Father manifested in flesh! There could be no greater experience in discovering God than in intimately knowing and walking in eternal fellowship with Christ and appreciating the fulness of His divine grace. 

Let me put it this way, the Bible teaches in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. He is the embodiment of the fulness of God by His loving grace, His holiness, His deity and divinity. In Him dwells the fulness of the Godhead in all perfection! 

Those who are in Christ are divinely preserved in Him, knowing Him by His word and following Him by His Spirit. They enjoy all there is that God has reserved for those who love Him, now and in the world to come. 

Those whom Jesus loves are those who have entered His rest; whose garments have been washed by His atoning blood; who have been assured of eternal life in Christ and who forever belong to Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit for the redemption that awaits us. 

So what does it mean that Jesus shall manifest Himself to those who love Him? 

My view is that those who love Jesus are intimately locked in His divine grace so that each day they are led of the Spirit and guided by the word of God which powerfully reveals to them the majesty, glory and the awesome Person of Christ to whose likeness we daily seek to be conformed (Romans 8:28-30). 

Jesus lovingly manifests Himself to us as we worship Him, affirming us by His Spirit by whom we cry Abba Father (Romans 8:16). He daily reveals His mind to us by His word in Scripture.

Nothing is more refreshing, more comforting, more assuring than the fact our Master not only manifests Himself to us but affirms us as His very own. 

This does not however imply that we can fully comprehend Christ in the fulness of His divine glory. The Bible says that when Christ shall appear, we shall know Him as He is! There is more awaiting us in heaven.

September 26 2016 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H. prayer warrior

In verse 8 of this chapter Philip asked Jesus to show us, the disciples, the Father. Jesus explains that when they understand Him, they understand the Father.

Jesus tells them to keep the commandments that He gave. They would know Him intimately. As believers, we do this because we love Him. This forms an intimate relationship and He dwells in our hearts. Our relationship grows, we seek Him more and more. He speaks to us through the Bible, and in prayer.

September 29 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report